Witnessing a familiar bird visit your backyard is one of life's little joys – so it is only natural to encourage these creatures to return by leaving tempting treats around our outdoor spaces. However, according to BBC Springwatch presenter Iolo Williams, some popular bird foods are actually causing more harm than good.
With brighter days provoking more time in our gardens, the Welsh wildlife expert urges us to consider our bird food more carefully in a bid to promote biodiversity on our doorsteps and take care of our feathered friends.
Working alongside the British-based homes and garden retailer Homebase, Iolo Williams suggests undertaking 'small changes' in our outdoor spaces so that, collectively, we can make 'a big impact and create a home for all creatures, big and small.' As avid-bird lovers, we're taking notes on everything he has to say about feeding birds in winter and more.
What not to feed wild birds
(Image credit: Future / Allan Pollok-Morris)
Perhaps the most important but most surprising of Iolo's tips is his suggestion that we should never feed a bird bread, as this can be extremely harmful. 'It offers very little nutrition and can fill up a bird's stomach,' Iolo declares.
Iolo continues, suggesting milk is equally as harmful and can 'can cause diarrhea and sickness' among garden birds. Instead, he suggests leaving some water, which is 'just as important as food for the birds and other wildlife.'
See: Eco-friendly garden ideas – expert tips on creating an eco-friendly backyard
What can birds eat?
(Image credit: Photo by Rotem Vazan on Unsplash)
Instead, the expert suggests leaving a 'variety of high energy foods, such as fat balls, peanuts, mixed seeds, and sunflower hearts.'
'Water is essential for birds to clean their feathers as well as to drink. A small garden pond is ideal, but a bowl of water or even an upturned bin lid will suffice. Water is also important for mammals such as hedgehogs,' Iolo adds.
As ever, everything you put out should offer them a balanced diet.
What scraps can I feed wild birds?
Don't put out raw vegetables – birds are not able to digest many of these kitchen scraps. However, you can put peas and sweetcorn out for them, as well as cooked potato, and some fruits, such as apples and pears – you may see birds snacking on fallen fruits in your garden naturally.
Raw meat is also not something birds can eat, although they will eat meat fat – and they will enjoy cheese.
As ever, put bird food out of reach of cats and dogs and, of course, rats.
Can birds eat raisins?
Yes, birds can eat raisins, sultanas and currants, too, but it is a good idea to soak them in dry weather. A note here for dog and cat owners: dried fruits are amongst the food that birds enjoy but which can be harmful to your pets. Always check before you feed birds that you are not putting out something that will make your pet ill.
Can birds eat porridge oats?
Yes, birds can eat porridge oats, but they need to be dry – cooked (or wet) and they will stick to and set around birds' beaks. Birds can also enjoy other dry breakfast cereals, but, as with bread, these shouldn't be your first option because they will fill up birds' stomachs like bread does, and provide little nutrition in return.
How to attract birds to a garden
After revealing the two crucial things that birds need to avoid, Iolo highlighted another mistake that may be harming a bird's wellbeing in our garden.
'Many people cut ivy from trees, believing that it kills its host. In fact, ivy is merely using the tree for support and is one of the most beneficial plants for wildlife. It is an evergreen and, as such, provides shelter for several species of birds, insects, and mammals throughout the year. Birds such as wood pigeons, blackbirds, and overwintering blackcap love ivy berries,' Iola warns.
(Image credit: Photo by Cathy Holewinski on Unsplash)
See:Small garden ideas– maximize a compact gardening space
Iolo's advice comes after the UK charity Royal Society for the Protection of Birds revealed that the last year had seen more than half of Brits more aware of the nature around them. Therefore, creating a safe sanctuary for birds is more important than ever before. Following this, Louise Midgley from Dobbies also suggests creating a shady shelter for birds to stay cool protected while in your garden.
Armed with this expert advice, we look forward to welcoming these therapeutic creatures safely into our gardens throughout this spring and summer, and beyond.
As an avid enthusiast with a deep understanding of wildlife and ecology, I appreciate the opportunity to share valuable insights on encouraging bird biodiversity in our outdoor spaces. Over the years, I've closely followed the work of experts like Iolo Williams and have actively engaged in practices to promote a thriving environment for birds and other wildlife.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
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Avoid Harmful Bird Foods: Iolo Williams emphasizes the importance of making informed choices about the food we offer to birds. Contrary to popular belief, feeding birds bread is discouraged because it provides little nutrition and can fill up a bird's stomach. Additionally, milk is deemed harmful, leading to diarrhea and sickness among garden birds. Instead, Williams recommends providing water, highlighting its significance for both birds and other wildlife.
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Recommended Bird Foods: To promote biodiversity, Williams suggests offering a variety of high-energy foods, such as fat balls, peanuts, mixed seeds, and sunflower hearts. These foods contribute to a balanced diet for birds and help them thrive in their natural environment.
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Water as Essential: Williams stresses the importance of water for birds, not just for drinking but also for cleaning their feathers. A small garden pond is ideal, but even a simple bowl of water or an upturned bin lid can serve this purpose. Adequate water sources are also crucial for other wildlife, such as hedgehogs.
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Scraps and Leftovers for Birds: While raw vegetables are challenging for birds to digest, some kitchen scraps are suitable, including peas, sweetcorn, cooked potato, apples, and pears. Williams advises against putting out raw meat but mentions that birds enjoy meat fat and cheese. Care should be taken to keep bird food out of reach of potential predators like cats, dogs, and rats.
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Raisins and Porridge Oats: Birds can safely consume raisins, sultanas, and currants, but it's advisable to soak them in dry weather. Porridge oats are also acceptable, provided they are dry. Wet oats can stick to birds' beaks, so it's essential to offer them in a dry form.
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Ivy as a Beneficial Plant: Williams dispels the misconception that ivy harms trees. In reality, ivy utilizes trees for support and serves as one of the most beneficial plants for wildlife. It provides shelter for various bird species, insects, and mammals throughout the year. Certain birds, such as wood pigeons, blackbirds, and overwintering blackcaps, are attracted to ivy berries.
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Awareness and Creating Sanctuaries: The article mentions a growing awareness of nature among the public, as highlighted by the UK charity Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. To contribute to bird conservation, experts recommend creating safe sanctuaries, including shady shelters for birds to stay cool during the warmer months.
Armed with this comprehensive understanding, we can make informed choices to create inviting and safe environments for birds in our gardens, fostering a harmonious coexistence with nature.
